James f



(No Model.)

J. P. THAYER. BUTTON FASTBNER.

Patented May 20, 1884.

F' En7| INVENTD gnphnr. Wnhingloo, n, c.

artar FFICED BUTTON FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,796, dated May 20.188 Application filed January 2, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES F. THAYER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of RhodeIsland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inButton-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to lettersor figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to button-fastenings; and it consists of aconcave-convex metallic plate or washer provided with a bar or tieacross the concave side thereof, said bar being formed and raised fromthe plate, whereby the prongs of a button or staple, when combined withsaid plate, are deflected and bent beneath said bar and above the innersurface of the plate.

My invention also consists in swaging or extending the inner edges ofthe opening of the plate exposed after forming said bar, therebypartially filling or closing said opening, all as will be fullyhereinafter-set forth.

In the annexed sheet of drawings, Figure 1 represents (enlarged) a planview of my improvedbutton-fastening plate or washer, showing its inneror concave surface. Fig. 2 represents its convex surface, showing theopening therein partially closed. Fig. represents the blank from whichthe plate with its tie is formed. Fig. 3 represents a vertical sectionthrough m w of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a vertical section through 0 0of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a modified form of the tie. Figs. 6 and 7represent buttons attached to fabrics in combination with my improvedclinching-plate.

The following is a detailed description of my invention and the mannerof using the same. At the outset, however, I would state that I do notclaim, broadly, as my invention a concave washer or plate adapted todeflect the prongs of a button or of a staple, as such have beenpreviously made and used. My invention consists of the plate or washerA, made from a sheet-metal blank, A, Fig. 25-, and afterward shaped to aconcavo-convex form, as shown. Upon each side of the center of the saidblank, at c c, the stock is out nearly across, (also shown in Fig. 2%,)the portion a, lying between the cuts, being adapted to be bent orshaped as shown in Fig. 3. By a subsequent process the edges 0 of theopen ing 7) are swaged or shaped by suitable means, thereby practicallyclosing said opening I). (See Figs. 2, 6, and7.) It is now obvious, inattaching buttons, that the points of the prongs of a button or staple,when forced against the concaveside of the plate A, will be bent anddeflected inwardly and under the tie a, as fully shown completelyattached to the fabric in Figs. 6 and 7, the washer at the same timeconcealing the prongs. The bar a of said washer is preferably formedflush with the concave outer edge of the washer, thereby adapting it torest firmly against the fabric, as shown, thus presenting a large andstrong retaining-surface.

Buttons secured to fabrics or leather in connection with .my improvedclinching-plate also present a more attractive and desirable appearance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improved article of manufacture,

a prong-deflecting washer or plate having one or more integral barsformed upon its concave side, and also having the edges of the openingstherein swaged or elongated, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The metallic concavo-convex plate A, herein described, provided withthe bar a upon its concave side, and further provided with the swaged orelongated edge a, the whole formed from a single blank, substantially asshown.

3. In a button-fastening, the combination, with a pronged button orstaple, of the concavo-convex plate A, having the bar or tie a formedintegral with said plate, the edges 0 of the opening I) being swaged orextended at a, the whole arranged and adapted to deflect and conceal theprongs, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES F. THAYER.

"Witnesses:

WM. R. DUTEMPLE, G no. H. REMINGTON.

